Dmitry Salita, the promoter of undefeated junior middleweight Ardreal Holmes, is petitioning for his fighter to replace Tim Tszyu and land a coveted fight against undefeated contender Vergil Ortiz.
On Thursday night, it was confirmed that injuries from Tszyu’s March 30 fight with Sebastian Fundora will prevent him from competing on August 3 in Los Angeles.
Salita has a simple solution: his undefeated fighter from Flint, Michigan, should get the nod. Holmes (15-0, 6 KOs), nicknamed “Bossman,” is a 29-year-old managed by David McWater. He has been featured on ShoBox: The Next Generation and last summer’s Claressa Shields-Maricela Cornejo fight card, where he won a technical decision over Wendy Toussaint after an accidental head clash halted the contest in the eighth round. For Holmes, the bout would mark a significant jump up in competition given his prior experience as a professional.
“It is about skills,” Salita told BoxingScene. “Once he gets the opportunity, he will be the name.”
“Ardreal is one of the best junior middleweight contenders in the world with an impressive amateur and professional career. He is coming off a spectacular knockout victory over Marlon Harrington on Big Time Boxing USA in February.”
Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) was inactive for 17 months and saw multiple fights with welterweight Eimantas Stanionis fall apart, with at least one instance due to recurring rhabdomyolysis, a health issue that has overshadowed Ortiz’s career in recent memory. The 26-year-old has since moved up to junior middleweight, knocking out Fredrick Lawson in one round in January and Thomas Dulorme in one round in April. Ortiz’s fight with Tszyu was perceived as a potential modern classic, an ode to Erik Morales-Marco Antonio Barrera. For now, the fans will have to wait.
Salita noted there is “ample time to train” regarding Holmes’ ability to prepare for a fight with Ortiz.
Holmes is ranked No. 12 by the IBF and No. 13 by the WBO. Boxing algorithm and online record keeper BoxRec.com lists Holmes as the 18th best junior middleweight in the United States currently, whereas Ortiz is listed as No. 1.
“He is definitely a sleeper in the division,” said Salita.
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